F.A.Q.

Running a blog for all these years has inspired me to write an F.A.Q. People sometimes ask me about my background and my blog. Here are a few general answers to those questions. If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for, feel free to send me a message at info@laroutedeben.ch. I’ll be happy to reply. Enjoy reading!

Can you tell me about yourself and your background?

To find out a little more about me, head over to my About page. You’ll find plenty of anecdotes about me there.

How long have you been blogging?

Officially since early 2011. I started on the Blogger platform, but it didn’t give me enough freedom. I then hired a web designer, but being a meticulous person, I started again from scratch and moved to WordPress.com, then WordPress.org. A long journey of self-learning and discovery began. Even after ten years, I’m still learning.

Why did you choose a blog rather than another type of platform?

I’ve always loved the idea of a personal space where I could share both thoughts and passions, without depending on a social network or a closed platform. A blog offers creative freedom and a certain longevity, unlike other, more short-lived formats.

I know nothing about computers. Can I start a blog?

Of course! With so many tutorials online and so many suitable courses, there’s no reason you can’t do it. If you have the desire and the motivation, I’m sure you’ll be able to enter the wonderful world of blogging. I recommend the websites WP Marmite and WP Formation (in French). They were a huge help to me.

Is it expensive to run a blog?

Yes and no! There are free platforms to get started and get to know the world of blogging. Writing and posting a few photos to illustrate a post costs nothing. To go a little further and have more freedom, such as renting hosting, having a domain name and buying a theme, there is a cost. In my case, I pay for my hosting with O2switch and paid once for my blog theme, found on Themeforest.

How much time should you spend on a blog each week?

It really depends on what you want to achieve with your blog. If you want to publish regularly, it takes a few hours a week to write articles, create visuals and promote your content. Personally, I spend several hours on it every week, but it depends on your pace and your goals.

You take beautiful photos. What equipment do you use?

Thank you! I’m delighted you like them. When I started, I used my iPhone 4 simply to illustrate my articles. Then, as I grew fond of photography, I invested in a Canon 750D. Today, I create with an iPhone 17 Pro, a Canon R6 and a DJI Osmo Pocket 3.

Have you taken a photography course?

I have! Wanting my images to be as polished as possible, I took two courses with the same photographer. You’ll find plenty of information on the EMO-PHOTO website. With the same person, I also took a course in photo editing with Photoshop & Lightroom.

Your blog is well written. Do you use a proofreader?

Thank you! Yes, I do, and my proofreader is called Élodie. I’m lucky to have a dear friend who rereads all my articles and blog pages so they’re pleasant to read.

What are your tips for a successful blog?

If you want your blog to succeed, here are a few tips: publish regularly, offer content that is interesting and useful to your readers, and don’t hesitate to invest a little time in SEO (search engine optimisation). It will help you be more visible. Above all, be authentic! The most important thing is to share topics you’re passionate about.